Many people dealing with anxiety these days. It may be caused due to feeling tension and restlessness. The symptoms can affect the daily activities of an individual. Fortunately, to treat this health condition there are various medications in the market. Among them, we will analyze two medications with a comparison of Librium vs Valium.
Most benzodiazepines may carry the risk of addictive problems and the body’s tolerance to dependence in patients. Valium, Librium, Prozac, Thorazine, and Xanax collectively known as anti-anxiety tranquilizers are some instances of CNS (Central Nervous System) depressants.
Although both these medications are called benzos, there are some main differences between each drug. To know their distinction, in this blog, we will highlight the difference between Librium and Valium drugs on the basis of a few aspects.
Difference Between Librium vs Valium Drugs
Here, we will differentiate on some factors which includes, overview, use, dosage strengths, effectiveness, side effects and withdrawal symptoms between Librium and Valium drugs.
1) Overview
Librium
It is a branded medicine. The generic name of Librium and sold by the trade name is chlordiazepoxide. Other than benzodiazepines, it belongs to another drug class called Anxiolytics.
This FDA-approved drug is categorized under Schedule IV Controlled Substances. Benzodiazepine is the main drug class of this medication which acts as a CNS stimulant (brain and nerves) to provide a soothing effect in individuals.
Some people may start abusing this drug because it serves as a high risk of developing addiction and may cause severe health complications in them.
Valium
This drug is sold under the brand name known as Diazepam, which is an oral medication. Valium is a generic drug belonging to three drug classes called Benzodiazepine anticonvulsants, Benzodiazepines and Anxiolytics.
Diazepam functions in the brain by increasing the level of several neurotransmitters to calm the central nervous system. Valium is an antidepressant medication to overcome the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in individuals.
Some people may feel sleepy and experience strange dreams or nightmares when taking Diazepam. However, this drug is helpful for individuals to deal with their stressful conditions and to provide a state of calmness and relaxation in them.
2) Use: Librium vs Valium
Librium
The primary use of this drug is to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia (trouble sleeping) in individuals. Also, it is helpful in reducing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in people.
Chlordiazepoxide is prescribed for treating various health complications such as light sedation, burning mouth syndrome, opiate withdrawal, panic disorder, tardive dyskinesia, etc., in individuals. The patients may take Librium before going for surgery. They feel calm and relaxed than earlier.
As we mentioned above, Chlordiazepoxide is the generic name of this drug, which is also a sedative-hypnotic Benzodiazepine. Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are the most effective benzodiazepines prescription drugs that are usually recommended by a certified doctor.
Valium
Valium (Diazepam) is another drug that is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, seizures and night terrors in patients. This medication is helpful for treating muscle spasms or twitches in individuals. It is because this branded medicine offers a sedative effect to people.
Other than Valium (Diazepam), Ambien (zolpidem) is another drug class which can be used effectively for treating insomnia. However, Valium can only be used off-label to reduce the symptoms of insomnia in patients.
Thus, this medication is approved by the US FDA to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, muscle spasms, and also the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
3) Dose and Dosage Strength
Librium
There are two dosage forms of this medication, one is oral capsule and another is gelatin coated. The dosage strengths of Librium drug are as follows:
- Librium 5 mg
- Librium 10 mg
- Librium 20 mg
- Librium 25 mg
The dose of this medication may differ in patients. However, it will depend on the patient’s condition when treating. A patient may take the dosage strength of either 5 mg or 10 mg 3 or 4 times regularly to treat anxiety disorders, which can be mild to moderate.
In addition, a patient may also take either 20 mg or 25 mg dosage 3 or 4 times daily to treat severe anxiety. However, patients must consult a doctor for prescriptions suggested for geriatric and pediatric doses.
Valium
This generic drug is available in the form of oral tablets, oral solutions and rectal gels. The dosage strengths of Valium medication are listed below:
Oral Tablets
- Valium 2mg
- Valium 5mg
- Valium 10mg
Oral Solutions
- Valium 1mg/1mL
- Valium 5mg/mL
Rectal Gels
- 2.5mg/0.5mL
- 10mg/2mL
- 20mg/4mL
The dose of this drug may depend on the severity of symptoms occurring in individuals. The usual daily dose that a patient may take starts from 2 mg and may take up to 10 mg 2 to 4 times daily for treating anxiety disorders and to get relief from its symptoms.
Additionally, in 24 hours, a patient can take the initial dose of 10 mg 3 or 4 times and then reduce to 5 mg at 3 or 4 times regularly when required. Also, a patient may take from 2 mg to 10 mg 3 or 4 times daily to treat both muscle spasms and epilepsy (convulsive disorders).
For geriatric patients, they may take the initial dosage of 2 mg and maximum dosage of 2.5 mg 1 or 2 times daily and then increase slowly as needed and tolerated by them. Also, for pediatric patients, the starting dose is 1 mg and maximum to 2.5 mg at 3 or 4 times regularly and then raises gradually as required and endured by them.
4) Efficacy
Librium
The effectiveness of this drug may vary in patients depending on its use. This medication cannot be used for more than 4 months as a patient may suffer from serious side effects. It can also be used for long-term treatment in individuals.
The half-life of this anti-anxiety medicine can be from 24 to 48 hours. Chlordiazepoxide is one of the most effective and safest benzodiazepine chemical compounds to treat mental disorders in patients according to a study.
So, doctors should clearly assess the effectiveness of Librium at frequent intervals for each patient, especially pediatric patients in order to determine its efficacy.
Valium
The Valium effectiveness may depend on the severity of the symptoms occurring in individuals. This drug works by calming the CNS, including both brain and nerves and the patients may get relief from the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
In addition, based on research it is found that the highest effect of this medication is commonly seen in most people between 1.5 hours when approximately 90% of this drug is consumed by them.
Thus, Valium is effective when taken orally from the mouth and tends to reduce the symptoms of anxiety in patients from 30 to 60 minutes.
5) Side effects
Librium
This drug may have the potential to cause unwanted side effects in individuals. The common side effects include:
- Loss of appetite
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Temporary vision loss
- Headache
- Excess sleepiness
- Menstrual disorders ( painful or irregular periods)
- Skin discoloration or rash
- Liver problems
- Confusion
- Lose consciousness
- Changes in sexual drive
Valium
This medication may cause both common and severe side effects in people as compared to other drugs. However, some people may have no side effects or only small ones. These side effects are listed-below:
- Feeling sleepy
- Severe drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia( trouble sleeping)
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Hyperactivity
- Aggression
- Dry mouth
- Mental illness such as parkinsonism, dystonia, restless legs syndrome,etc.
- Addiction and Withdrawing from the drug
- Tremors
- Seizures
Few Safety Measures to be Followed when Taking Librium or Valium Medications:
To avoid overdose, misuse or addiction of these drugs, patients should follow some safety measures as suggested by health care experts. These are as follows:
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and certain antidepressant drugs.
- Do not take a large dose of Librium. Because it may cause mental disorders in individuals.
- If an individual taking these drugs for a longer duration, tell the doctor.
- The patient needs to consult with a doctor, before going for any surgery.
- If a person is suffering from any allergic reaction then immediately consult with the doctor.
- Never take benzodiazepines for more than 2 weeks.
- Do not change the dosage of these drugs without doctor’s recommendation.
Conclusion:
At the end of this blog, Librium and Valium are used to treat various disorders including anxiety. Librium also helps to treat insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms in people. Whereas including anxiety disorder Valium drugs also help to cure withdrawal symptoms and seizures. It will be helpful for people if they follow the safety measures while taking these medications.
Both the drugs are commonly prescribed by a doctor and a healthcare expert for treating pediatric (above 6 years) or geriatric patients ( older people).
